摘要 |
<p>A heat exchanger (10) comprises a coolant line (11) and a beverage line (13), embedded in a solid block of Aluminium (15). The coolant line (1 l)is in the form of a first helical coil defining a plurality of turns typically located in the centre of the block. The beverage line (13) is in the form of a second helical coil defining a plurality of turns extending around the first coil. The coolant line defines a cold zone (12), typically in the centre of the block, with the volume outside the central zone carrying the beverage line ratio defining an designated beverage cooling zone (14). The volume ratio of the designated zone to the cold zone is about 150: 100. The heat exchanger allows for cooling of beer to precise temperatures and even temperatures close to freezing point, using direct expanded Freon refrigeration methods. The complete system including the refrigeration equipment to be packaged into a small area, such as is available under bars and dispensing counters etc., which removes the need for large installations and the associated costs and maintenance of the same. In a variant an additional beverage cooling zone may be located inside the cold zone. The positions of the coolant and beverage lines may also be reversed in certain applications.</p> |